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Lineman electrocuted in Maryland.

A power company lineman (a lead line mechanic) was electrocuted while repairing storm damage to a distribution system. The lineman and a groundman began working at 10pm and by 3am moved to the site where the accident occurred. The lineman worked from a two man aerial bucket without the benefit of any personal protective equipment such as a nonconductive hard hat, insulated rubber gloves, or lanyard. At the site, there was a blown fuse; the fuse holder was also found to be damaged. Work proceeded until the time to reconnect the taps the lineman had disconnected to replace the fuse box. As he pulled the deenergized tap toward the bottom of the fuse holder with his bare hand, his head contacted the energized tap. He fell back into the aerial bucket, as he was not wearing a lanyard. The groundman lowered the bucket but was unable to remove the victim even with the help of two emergency medical service personnel. CPR was administered inside the bucket, but it was doubtful if it was very effective. Recommendations arising from this accident include: making sure all high voltage line workers wear all appropriate personal protective equipment; enforcing company requirements concerning the use of such equipment; and providing lighting systems to illuminate work areas.